Arrowhead board debates graduation date, discusses state consolidation bills and phone policy; motion to move graduation withdrawn
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Summary
Board members debated moving graduation to May 30, 2026, but withdrew the motion to allow further review in December; the meeting also covered pending state consolidation bills, possible incentives for consolidation, and a policy discussion on classroom phone rules and a draft policy described as 'restoring biological truth.'
The Arrowhead UHS School District board discussed a range of policy and legislative items and took procedural action to defer a contested graduation-date change.
Personnel and legislation co-chairs reported on a Nov. 6 meeting covering board commitments, the 2026'27 school-year calendar and graduation timing. The board considered a motion to move the graduation date one week earlier to May 30, 2026. Members raised concerns about notice to families, calendar-policy implications and conflicting references in committee notes; after discussion the motion-maker and second withdrew the motion and the board then voted to accept the withdrawal. Administration and policy chairs agreed the item would be revisited in December; the board recorded the withdrawal and directed staff to check applicable policies before any formal calendar change.
Board discussion also summarized materials from the recent WASB legislative conference. Members flagged proposals from Representative Kitchens on consolidation bills that could equalize mill rates and offer financial incentives for districts that consolidate, including grants to study consolidation and potentially larger first-year incentives. Some legislators, including Senator Faff, were described as skeptical about consolidation due to concerns such as rural student bus times. Arrowhead submitted two letters of support to committee testimony though no formal board testifying was recorded in the transcript.
Policy committee discussion included a recommendation to let the current phone policy remain in place while staff and teachers receive training to implement an incoming state law, and a separate, ongoing review of draft language identified as aimed at "restoring biological truth," for which counsel and outside feedback (Bob Butler) was requested before further committee consideration.
At the end of the public session the board voted to convene in closed session pursuant to Wisconsin open-meetings law; the public meeting adjourned to closed session.
The transcript records the procedural steps and committee discussions but does not include final board positions on the consolidation bills or changes to the phone policy; both remain in committee or pending further action.